Since we rely on the internet for all of life’s business, it is crucial that our information be safe and secure. With VPNs, you will be able to safely connect to a company server without the risk of eavesdroppers spying on your private data.
VPNs can make sure you carry out your internet activities with complete security and anonymity. On top of that, you can have access to geo-restricted content on the web too!
It is not that complex to get a subscription to a commercial VPN and surf the internet with complete anonymity, as it is just a matter of one click and you’re good to go!
Nonetheless, we will tell you more about how to use a VPN manually on your device, no matter which operating system you are using.
- Choose a VPN plan which best suits your VPN needs and sign up for it. (We recommend ExpressVPN)
- Go to the VPN website, sign up by providing your email and bank account information to pay the subscription fee.
- After getting the login credentials, download and install the VPN program on your device.
- Log in to your VPN account.
- Click on tap the Quick-Connect button to connect to the nearest VPN server or use the ‘Locations’ option to change the VPN server.
- You can also set up a VPN manually on your device.
How to Use A VPN?
If you don’t want your original identity to get exposed on the internet, make sure you know how to use a VPN on different devices. The second thing is that it is recommended to always go for a paid VPN service as it is a more reliable choice.
VPN providers are plenty because they hope to sell their services, but you have to make a decision on which VPN service is the best for your needs. Whether it be paid or free, do some research on them first before signing up for one just so that you know what you’re getting into.
Keep reading to learn how to set up and use VPN manually on different devices.
Choose A VPN Plan
The first thing you need to do is get a VPN subscription plan. There are many kinds of plans: one-month, three-month or six-month, one year or two-year. Choose the right plan for your needs according to which kind of user you are: users who use a VPN frequently should go for a longer-term subscription, whereas occasional VPN users can go for a free VPN or a one-month plan.
Note that a user can get a big discount by purchasing longer-term subscription plans. Many reliable VPNs have seasonal and permanent long-term subscription plans from which frequent VPN users can save on a subscription.
Sign Up for VPN
As part of the process, you’ll need to provide some basic information such as an email address and bank account to pay for the VPN service. After providing this info, there will be a deduction from your account. You’ll get a personal username and password via email after completing everything.
Get VPN On Your Device
After signing up, download the VPN software or app from the website or your operating system’s store. Install it and launch the VPN app. Enter your username and password sent to you on your email to log in to your VPN account.
Connect to VPN Server
You can either use the quick-connect button to connect to the nearest and fastest server available at that moment or you can tap the ‘Locations’ option to choose a VPN server of your preference and connect to it. Other than that, you can also set up a VPN connection manually on your device.
How to Use A VPN In Windows?
- You have to first create a VPN profile by going to Settings and head for Network and Internet.
- Click on Add a VPN Connection.
- Choose Windows (built-in) in the field of VPN Provider.
- Enter a name in the Connection Name which is easier to remember.
- Enter the VPN server address in Server Address.
- Select a VPN Type, which is basically the VPN Protocol.
- Specify a type of sign-in info whether you want to login with username and password, certificate, or smart card.
- Save the settings.
- Connect to your VPN by clicking on the Network icon in the taskbar.
- Click on the VPN network with your given name and connect to it.
How to Use A VPN In macOS?
- Head to System Preferences and go to Network.
- Click on the (+) sign in the left corner at the bottom.
- Select VPN from the drop-down menu.
- Enter the Service name (VPN Name) and VPN Type (Protocol) for your VPN.
- Click on Create and add Server Address, local ID, remote ID.
- Head to the Authentication Settings and enter your credentials to connect to the VPN.
How to Use A VPN In iOS?
Get the VPN app from your iPhone’s/iPad’s App Store and follow the steps below.
- Go to your iOS device’s Settings and head to General.
- Tap on VPN, and then tap on Add VPN Configuration.
- Tap on Type and choose a VPN Protocol.
- On the VPN Configuration section, enter Description, Remote ID, Local ID, and Server.
- Tap your VPN connection on to use the VPN.
How to Use A VPN In Android?
Just like iOS, get your VPN app from Google Play Store and follow the steps below.
- Go to your Android Settings, and search VPN in the search panel.
- You will see a list of already installed connections. Tap on Add a VPN Network.
- Enter the VPN name, VPN type, and Server information.
- Click on Save.
- Return to the list of already installed connections and choose your VPN.
- Enter the credentials and connect to your VPN.
What Is A VPN & How Does It Work?
A VPN acts as an intermediary between your device and the internet. When you connect to a VPN, your original IP address is masked with a VPN server’s IP address which is assigned to you. With this change in IP Address, all of your online activities remain anonymous while still being accessible by any website on the internet that you want information from.
A VPN is a necessary tool if you want your online identity to be safe. As soon as you connect to the internet, all of your traffic goes through a secure tunnel that not even your ISP or the government can track. But for this protection, it’s essential that you know how to use a VPN on different platforms.
Is It Mandatory to Use A VPN? Why Should I Use It?
VPNs are becoming important to corporations with their increasing popularity for all the possible reasons to avoid cyberattacks, have flexible remote options, and access to geo-blocked content on the web.
A VPN is a must-have tool in today’s world and here is why you should use a VPN.
Have Easy Access to Geo-Restricted Websites
Many countries block their residents from accessing certain websites or online services, such as social media, that may not exist in foreign lands. A VPN provides a way around this problem by providing an anonymous IP through which we can access any website or service geo-blocked to our locale.
Secure Access to Public Wi-Fi
Privacy on public WiFi is a considerable concern for many people. But, the problem of privacy only becomes worse when you travel overseas and must also contend with poor security standards and lack of services in place to help protect your data.
This article shows how exploiters can hack into your personal information when you connect to unsecured public wifi. Sometimes, they can set up an evil twin network (for instance, a replica wifi network with the name of a famous coffee shop in the neighborhood) and trap you by having access to your sensitive information.
One solution is to use a VPN while you are abroad so that you can bypass censorship blocks that might come into play while securing your online traffic along the way.
Eliminate Website Tracking
Sites like Google are tracking our internet activity to target us with advertisements that show up shortly afterward. They actively monitor what you like on Facebook or discuss privately, then sell that information to advertisers who place ads based on your recent Internet activity.
A VPN protects your privacy by putting a cloak of invisibility between the websites you visit and yourself so you don’t have to come across annoying ads.
Get Best Prices On Products
Online stores track our every move and based on that information, show us personalized deals which could lead to a price difference. It doesn’t matter if you are purchasing flight tickets or clothes online, the website is going to push you in one direction.
The only way out of this problem is using a VPN because it’s able to stop these companies from tracking you. You can also compare the prices by connecting to different regions and get your products at the cheapest prices.
Safely Torrent Movies
Installing a VPN can be the difference between torrenting and receiving a hefty fine or other penalties from your ISP. Using a VPN for torrenting will help you stay anonymous online while streaming, downloading, or playing any content from anywhere in the world.
How to Choose A VPN?
Getting the best VPN is very necessary to avoid getting tracked from prying eyes. There is a large number of VPN providers from which you need to select a VPN that offers a value-for-money subscription.
Go for the Maximum Server Count
When reviewing VPN options, be sure to consider the number of servers available as well as connection locations. This will ensure you can always find a reliable and fast connection, have access to internet content from other countries, and avoid potential censorship or other Internet restrictions in various regions.
So go for a VPN with a maximum server count, like NordVPN, which has over 5,200 servers in 62 countries.
A VPN With Latest Protocols Available
When considering a VPN, you should pay attention to encryption protocols available on the service. The protocol controls how traffic is routed. This helps determine how effective it will be as protection for your data. OpenVPN is generally considered best because it has AES 256 encryption method and also, it is compatible with many operating systems.
Feature for Simultaneous VPN Connections
Every VPN service sets a limit on the number of devices that can be connected at once. It is advisable to get an account based on your needs. If you have more than one person regularly using your connection, you will want to look for providers with generous limits.
Kill-Switch Feature
A kill-switch automatically terminates your internet connection in the event of a VPN failure, which will protect you against exposing your original identity online. A VPN connection is rarely interrupted if you choose a reliable and trusted VPN service but a kill-switch feature is still important to make sure your online identity is hundred percent secure.
No Logs Policy
One of the main points to keep in mind while choosing a VPN provider is their logging policy. Most of the free VPN providers log user activities and sell that data so third-party firms can study user behaviors on the web. Only choose an enterprise that has strict policies for keeping user logs. Most trusted providers will even get themselves audited by third-party organizations to be transparent to their users.
Wrapping it up!
VPN has become a globally recognized tool to perform your online activities securely and anonymously which is why it is necessary to know how to use a VPN on different platforms to make sure you don’t expose your online identity to the prying eyes waiting for opportunities to exploit your personal data. Moreover, get a VPN that has good reviews, offers plenty of amazing features, and is worth buying for so it can always have your back when you go surfing the internet!
